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What to do if…
a broken bone is visibly deformed or has broken through the skin

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

Call 911 now. Keep the injured area still, do not straighten it or push exposed bone back through the skin, and cover any open wound while following the call-taker’s instructions.

Do not do these things

  • Do not push exposed bone back through the skin.
  • Do not straighten, pull, twist, or test the injured area.
  • Do not ask the person to stand, walk, or put weight on the injury.
  • Do not move the person unless the scene is unsafe or the 911 call-taker tells you to.
  • Do not probe the wound or touch exposed bone.
  • Do not apply pressure directly over protruding bone.
  • Do not improvise a splint unless you are trained and emergency help is not available promptly.

What to do now

  1. Call 911 and put the phone on speaker. Give the exact location and say that the limb or joint is visibly deformed or that bone has broken through the skin.
  2. Tell the call-taker about heavy or spurting bleeding, breathing problems, reduced responsiveness, numbness, or fingers or toes that are pale, blue, or cold. Follow all instructions and do not hang up until told to.
  3. Ask the person to remain still. Leave the injured area in the position you found it and do not try to realign the bone.
  4. If the skin is broken, loosely cover the wound with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. If it is bleeding, apply steady pressure to the bleeding area without pressing on protruding bone.
  5. If blood soaks through the first dressing, leave it in place and place one additional clean dressing over it while maintaining pressure. For life-threatening bleeding from an arm or leg, use a commercial tourniquet only if you are trained or the 911 call-taker directs you.
  6. If medical help is not available promptly and you are trained to splint fractures, immobilize the area above and below the injury without changing its position. Otherwise, avoid handling it.
  7. Check the person’s breathing and responsiveness. Watch the fingers or toes beyond the injury for changes in color, warmth, feeling, or tingling, and report any change to 911.
  8. Keep the person from becoming cold or overheated and stay with them until emergency responders take over. If they become unresponsive or stop breathing normally, follow the call-taker’s CPR instructions.

What can wait

You do not need to identify the exact fracture, clean the wound thoroughly, decide whether surgery is needed, arrange later transport, or deal with insurance, work, or recovery plans now. Focus on calling 911, preventing movement, covering the wound, controlling bleeding, and monitoring the person.

Important reassurance

The most useful actions are simple: call 911, keep the injury still, cover any open wound, and watch for changes. You are not expected to diagnose the fracture or put the bone back into place.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate first-aid steps only. Examination, imaging, infection prevention, pain treatment, bone alignment, surgery, and recovery decisions require emergency and specialist medical care.

Important note

This is general first-aid information, not medical advice or a substitute for emergency care. Follow the instructions given by the 911 call-taker and emergency responders.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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